Statement of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia on the latest developments in Kosovo (22 June 1999)

STATEMENT OF HIS HOLINESS PATRIARCH ALEXY II OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN KOSOVO (22 JUNE 1999)

The development of the situation in Kosovo remains ambiguous and still provokes anxiety and concern of the Russian Orthodox Church.

On the one hand, one cannot but express appreciation with the cessation of bombing of Yugoslavia and the beginning of actions for the establishment of peace undertaken with active participation of Russia.

At the same time we are receiving news about the profanation and even destruction of many Orthodox holy places, the outrage upon clergymen and monastics, and the exodus of the thousands of Serbs, including the ministers of the Church of Christ, from their historical land. These evil deeds are performed by the soldiers of the so called ‘Liberation Army of Kosovo’, and the international peace forces do not always properly repulse them.

The new appalling tragedy is taking place with the world community keeping silence. We must not be indifferent to that. The sufferings of peaceful Orthodox Christians and the acts of sacrilege must be stopped immediately, for it is impossible to create peace on the basis of injustice, on tears and blood of people and on the ruins of the profaned holy places.

In these difficult days I say to His Holiness Patriarch Pavle of Serbia, all archpastors, pastors and faithful of the beloved Serbian Orthodox Church that the Orthodox Christians of Russia remember you and pray for you, seeing your courage, your faith and your will to peace. I call the Orthodox flock in Kosovo to remain steadfast and patient and remind them of the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom’ (Lk.12:32).

I ask all those on whom the situation in the region depends now and will depend in future to exert maximum possible efforts for preserving life, health, freedom and property of the Serbs in Kosovo, for protecting churches and monasteries. I am confident that only full removal of weapons from the civilians and the cessation of actions by illegal armed groups will create the basis for the introduction of peace and order in Kosovo. The process of returning of the Serbian refugees to their hearths as well as the return of the Albanians to Kosovo should be supported by all. It will be necessary to establish a system of internal order in the region in future which would guarantee all people not only personal security but the whole complex of civil rights, including their participation in taking all kinds of political decisions.

My special appeal is to the Russian soldiers peacemakers. Many inhabitants of Kosovo are pinning their last hope on you. Do everything in you power to help the suffering and to keep peaceful and worthy life in the region.

May the Lord God bless His children living on the much suffering land of Kosovo with peace. May He be with you and wipe all tears and protect you with His Almighty Right Hand.